Clinical Study Title:
Retinoic acid receptor alpha gene variants, Multivitamin use and liver intake as risk factors for oral clefts: a population-based case-control study in Denmark, 1991-1994.

Plain English Summary:

There are several theories about how babies are born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. The most predominant theory states that a certain genetic propencity for the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) location to be susceptible to deficiencies and thus results in an oral cleft. Further research has looked into the maternal diet, and the use of maternal multivitamins. Research suggests that a pregnant mother who uses a daily multivitamin will be providing nutrition to the baby that will protect against cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Specifically, the use of vitamin A in a multivitamin may also provide additional protection against oral clefts. The use of a multivitamin while pregnant may afford additional protection against the creation of an oral cleft in infants and newborns.

Authors

Mitchell LE. Murray JC. O'Brien S. Christensen K.

Institution

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Country of Publication

United States

Source

American Journal of Epidemiology. 158(1):69-76, 2003 Jul 1.